Shiv Sena may have no say in Metro work

Mumbai: Shiv Sena, the ruling party in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), is likely to have no say in the construction of Metro projects in the city. Just like railway projects, the Metro and Mono rail projects will also have special authority to carry out their constructions in the city.

According to civic officials, railways does not need to take any permission from the BMC for its construction activities such as building stations, yards etc. The rule was not applicable to Metro and Monorail projects as the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) always needs to seek approval from the BMC for its project works like constructing stations, carshed, power stations etc.

However, the state government has decided to provide special authority status to Metro and Mono rail projects too. Accordingly, it has asked the BMC to make changes in Development Control Rules (DCR). The civic administration has tabled a proposal seeking approval from the civic improvements committee for allotting a special status to Metro and Mono projects in the city.

If the proposal is passed, MMRCL will be able to approve all works of the Metro project. There is no need for them to seek BMC’s approval, said a senior civic official.

Incidentally, the first Metro project Ghatkopar-Andheri-Versova did not have the provision.

Opposing the proposal, Shiv Sena’s Anant Nar, who is also improvements committee chairman, said that there should be only one agency to decide the fate of Mumbai. “Too many cooks spoil the broth. Similarly, all decisions pertaining to city’s development should be in the hands of BMC only. Multiple agencies are not good for the city,” he said.

According to civic sources, the move is aimed at clipping the wings of Shiv Sena, which has been strongly opposing the Metro-III project, saying a large number of trees would have to cut for carshed at Aarey Colony. The Shiv Sena has also said the project would badly affect the Marathi speaking people, who live in Girgaum area.